It was California Chrome’s first loss in seven starts this year; Arrogate won his fifth straight race.

California Chrome and Victor Espinoza led most of the 11/4-mile race, with Melatonin second, and Arrogate and Mike Smith loping along in third place.

“I was cruising on the lead. He was doing it so easy, so comfortable,” Espinoza said. “Maybe I should have opened it up a little bit early.”

Around the final turn, Arrogate took up the chase, with Smith first whipping the 3-year-old colt left-handed and then right through the stretch as they gained on California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness that year.

“I gave him a few reminders left-handed,” Smith said. “Then I went back right to surprise him. When I did that he gave me another jump. That’s what got us on by.”

Arrogate caught California Chrome to win by a half-length, giving Smith his third Cup victory of the weekend and record 25th of his career. Trainer Bob Baffert earned his record third consecutive Classic win.

California Chrome returned $2 and $2.40. Keen Ice was another 103/4 lengths back in third and paid $5.80 to show.

“You saw two champions run,” said Art Sherman, California Chrome’s 79-year-old trainer. “What can I say? We got outrun on the fair. No excuses. He ran his eyeballs out.”

Hoppertunity, also trained by Baffert, was fourth. Melatonin finished fifth, followed by Frosted, Effinex, War Story and Win the Space, who didn’t finish.

Shaman Ghost was scratched.

In other races:

• Classic Empire won the $2 million Juvenile by a neck, making him the winter favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Classic Empire ran 11/16 miles in 1:42.60 and paid $11 to win as the 9-2 second choice.

Trained by Kentucky-based Mark Casse, Classic Empire has won four of his five career starts, losing only when he tossed his rider in the Hopeful at Saratoga in September.

Not This Time, the 5-2 favorite, was second and Practical Joke third. Lookin At Lee finished fourth in the 11-horse field.

• Baffert won his fifth career Sprint race with Drefong, who scored by 11/4 lengths. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Drefong ran six furlongs in 1:08.79 and paid $9.80 to win as the 7-2 third choice in the $1.5 million race.

• Highland Reel held off favored Flintshire by 13/4 lengths to win the $4 million Turf.

• Tourist held off a late charge from defending champion Tepin to win the $2 million Mile by a half-length.

• Obviously became the first favorite to win on the weekend, taking the lead shortly out of the starting gate and holding off Om by a nose in the $1 million Turf Sprint.

• Champagne Room got the day started with a 30-1 upset in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Champagne Room ran 11/16 miles in 1:45.12 and paid $69.20 to win by three-quarters of a length.

• Queen’s Trust caught 8-5 favorite Lady Eli at the finish line to win the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf by a nose, the first victory for Europe on the weekend. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Queen’s Trust ran 11/4 miles in 1:57.75, bettering the old mark of 1:58.73 set by Dank in the 2013 edition. She paid $18 to win at 8-1 odds.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.